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35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

While reading this passage, I’ve realized something unique for myself. We see Jesus giving a parable to his disciples about the sheep and goats. After separating the two in groups, he says to the right, or the sheep, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father…”. And the in verses 35 and 36 he begins to list the reasons. All of the listed necessities are considered the basics for life. Food, water, shelter, clothing, health and fellowship are all the basics needs that humans have. Jesus pointed out to the ones on the right that they have done all of those things to Him.

No where does it list great accomplishments that we as people often consider, like being a pastor of a largest congregation, preaching the best sermons, or singing in the greatest church choirs. Jesus points out the basic necessities of humans and the need of others to fulfill them.

Another unique fact is that the sheep did not even realize that they did those things for Christ. It was a natural way of life for them, because such works flow naturally from the heart. There is no need to apply extra effort and display to others your charity. A true Christian displays such characteristics as something common and ordinary. It is clearly seen, that the Lord notices such works and takes everything into account.

We can find a great lesson in these two verses. God cares about what we do and how we do it. Ultimately the smallest works of charity and basic assistance to those who are in need of it carry with them a great consequence in God’s eyes.

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Gal. 6:9

Introduction

This year I have decided to start posting regularly as I read the Bible. I will predominately focus on the New Testament, though that is not set in stone. These are just my thoughts and questions that I had while reading the listed chapters. I hope that when God reveals the answers I would be able to update these posts to a more recent version.

Mathew Chapter 2

Mathew reveals an interesting detail in his Gospel about the so called Magi or wise men. I hope to study and see what others write about these individuals and where the suspect they are from. One explanation that I’ve found is that they are the decedents of the astronomers and astrologists from the days of Daniel. They kept Daniel’s revelations and instructions about the coming Messiah. Supposedly Daniel, while being a highly appointed ruler, gave instructions about the gifts that they would need to bring to this new born King. Studying the night skies, they were able to discern a phenomenon that clearly indicated the birth of the promised King.

I’ve seen animations of the supposed night sky during those times. One unique phenomenon was the alignment of a couple of planets in the Leo constellation. The lion constellation always indicated Judah, or the people of Israel. Comets have always indicated a bad omen and were always linked with the dark side. Meteors are also eliminated from the possibilities, since they are so short lived.

Only Mathew reveals the story of the wise men. He indicates that they came to Jerusalem to find the new-born King. At this point I have to ask a question that has always intrigued me. I’ve always heard that these men traveled a long distance from a far away land, that probably took them more than a year to arrive at the final destination. We know that Mary and Joseph where from Nazareth. The only reason that they came to Judea was because of the census (and possibly a religious holiday as well). Herod found out and commanded all the children, 2 years and younger, to be killed. I guess this is where most people get the numbers in terms of the time it took for the wise men to find Jesus. To me this does not make clear sense. None of the Gospel writers indicate that they stayed in Judea (Bethlehem) for an extended period of time.

The prophecy foretold that Jesus would live in Egypt for some time. Such was the case when the family ran from their location down to Egypt. If they had been in Nazareth, they would have had to run through Judea down to Egypt, but that is precisely where Herod gave the command to kill all the children 2 and under (Bethlehem and in all the coasts thereof). I would not imagine Nazareth to be a “coast” of Bethlehem, because it is located in a totally different region of the country (Galilee). The slaying had to be local to the city of Bethlehem, which was the location the scribes and chief priests indicated to. Nazareth, therefore, was never in danger of being violated by Herod’s forces.

After living in Egypt for some time, the family was commanded by the Angel to return. Joseph was afraid to go back to Jerusalem or near by Bethlehem, therefore it was revealed to him to go back to Nazareth.

I find two possible explanations.

1. The wise men came soon after Jesus’ birth, before they had time to return back to Nazareth.
2. The family decided to make Bethlehem and the regeion of Judea their new home for a while.

My conclusion is that the arrival of the wise men occurred soon after Jesus’ birth. They didn’t come years after the birth or even many months. I’m lead to believe that they came right in the nick of time to find the new born Jesus and provide the gifts that would serve as a financial base for the years in Egypt. God always has a better plan and reveals it right at the last moment. I’d like to see if someone has a better explanation.

DK